Lois Crawford

Lois is survived by her son David (Christine) of Westland, son Scott of Ypsilanti, brother Richard Hartsock of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, sister Nancy Houlihan of California, and four grandchildren (Nicole, Devin, Chelsea, and Tyler.)

A tribute by Ed Robertson, Ann Arbor Transportation Authority:

Lois Crawford began her journey on Planet Earth on March 28, 1945. She was born as World War II was coming to an end -- just a year too early to be formally considered part of the “baby boom” generation. But it was the baby boomers with which she always identified. Growing up in the exploding suburbs sprouting up around Philadelphia following the War, she led a typical American (if sometimes exciting), childhood—including dancing on the original American Bandstand hosted by Dick Clark. It was the fun and excitement she got from dancing and singing along with all types of music that followed her and became an influence throughout her life.

The years that followed included marriage, two sons, a divorce, and somewhere along the line, moving to Michigan. Lois held various positions in her new state, including working for a variety of newspapers (such as The Trenton Times, The Monroe Guardian, and others). After a short stint as a RideShare Planner for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), she became completely smitten with public transportation and entered our lives at AATA on November 19, 1990, when she accepted the position of Administrative Assistant for the Community Relations Department.

While working diligently for Liz Margolis, and later for Mary Stasiak, in all kinds of marketing and public relations endeavors, Lois was still able to continue her love of music and dance by becoming a part-time disc jockey for private parties and galas. She even assembled what may be the world’s largest collection of mechanical dancing and singing stuffed animals……it seems as though she had one for every holiday, as well as for fairy tales, modern cartoon characters, and the list goes on and on. Anyone walking past her office during a holiday season was often serenaded and entertained by one of her singing and dancing toys.

Her light shone brightly at AATA, where she used her administration skills, her excellent written and interpersonal communications, and marketing and newspaper savvy to help the transit system launch and develop a number of new services. Her concern was always that the “customer” came first and deserved clear, timely, and accurate information upon which to base their transportation decisions. She was instrumental in coordinating our Youth Ride, assisting in the Senior Ride program, and (for our newer employees who may not know this), for years was the “editor-in-chief” of our monthly newsletter. The list of Lois’ hard work, involvement with, and dedication to AATA goes on and on until late last year.

Before Christmas, and just a few months before her planned March 2013 retirement, Lois was diagnosed with cancer. She fought it valiantly, undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but in the end, it was a losing battle. Lois left her earthly body at around 9:00 am on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at the age of 68. Her retirement date has come and gone, but her presence remains with us. Although we sorely miss her, we can be comforted by the fact that now Lois has no pain….instead she looks sixteen again, has a big smile on her face, is spinning records next to Dick Clark, and dancing joyously in her poodle skirt and pony tail.